It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague, David Pellegrino, a Partner in Smith Gambrell’s Litigation Practice in the firm’s New York office. David passed away on November 22, 2025.

“His warm smile and affable nature touched everyone he met, and he will be fondly remembered by all of us,” said Stephen Forte, Managing Partner and Chairman of the Firm’s Executive Committee. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to David’s family, particularly his wife, Pauline and children, Kate and Nina.”

“The New York office feels this loss profoundly,” said Office Managing Partner John McCarthy. “David was an integral part of our team – a litigator whose genuine kindness made practicing alongside him a true pleasure. He will be greatly missed.”

David joined Smith Gambrell (formerly Freeborn & Peters LLP) in 2019 and was a valued member of the firm focusing primarily on real estate disputes. For more than two decades, he represented parties involved in real estate related litigation in state and federal courts. From cases concerning transactions that have gone awry, financing issues, lien priorities, and disagreements between partners and joint venturers, to statutory actions such as foreclosures, partitions, and encroachments, he handled an extensive variety of real estate litigation and developed an unparalleled skillset.

He was a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Federal and Commercial Litigation and a member of the Federal Bar Council, and he earned his B.A. from State University of New York at Stony Brook and his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.

David leaves behind an enduring impact and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him. David’s obituary can be found here.